Description
Book SynopsisIn this interpretation of the Odyssey, Seth Benardete suggests that Homer may have been the first to philosophize in a Platonic sense. He argues that the Odyssey concerns precisely the relation between philosophy and poetry and, more broadly, the rational and the irrational in human beings.
Trade ReviewGuided by the fundamental problems opened up through his studies of the Platonic dialogues, Seth Benardete unravels the intertwined threads of Homer's Odyssey and finds at its core the choice Odysseus makes to be human—to return home rather than accept Calypso's offer of immortality. This choice reflects the understanding Odysseus has of his fate, on which the Olympian gods have in turn imposed a design of their own, assigning Odysseus a part in their plan of withdrawal. Once home, Odysseus strings his bow and makes it sing, Homer tells us, as easily as a bard his lyre; but whether the apparent fusion of rationality with spiritedness in the soul of Odysseus allows him to share Homer's perspective is the Platonic question that animates Benardete's penetrating and illuminating reading of the Odyssey. -- Ronna Burger, Tulane University
The Bow and the Lyre is a work of matchless erudition and insight. -- Harvey C. Mansfield, Harvard University
Bernardete's procedure frees him to take seriously the problems of the surface on their own terms. -- Martin Sitte, New York, NY * Albert E. Gunn and Staff *
The Bow and the Lyre is a treasure of startling observations, but it is also much more. His book is a remarkable account of the Odyssey . . . There is really nothing else like it in print. -- Michael Davis, Sarah Lawrence College
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Notice to the Reader Chapter 2 Preface Part 3 Part I: The Beginnings Chapter 4 Theodicy Chapter 5 Politics Chapter 6 Telemachus Part 7 Part II: Pattern and Will Chapter 8 Nestor Chapter 9 Helen and Menelaus Part 10 Part III: Odysseus' Choice Part 11 Part IV: Among the Phaeacians Chapter 12 Shame Chapter 13 Paradise Chapter 14 Pride Part 15 Part V: Odysseu' Own Story Chapter 16 Memory and Mind Chapter 17 Nature Chapter 18 Hades Chapter 19 Destiny Part 20 Part VI: Odysseus' Lies Part 21 Part VII: Nonfated Things Chapter 22 Theoclymenus and Eumaeus Chapter 23 The Slave Girls Chapter 24 The Name and the Scar Part 25 Part VIII: The Suitors and the City Chapter 26 The Suitors Chapter 27 The City Part 28 Part IX: Recognition Chapter 29 Penelope Chapter 30 Hades Chapter 31 Laertes Chapter 32 Notes Chapter 33 Index
